Presidents Day provides an ideal time for a micro-getaway to make the most of the long weekend.
For those who’d like to use the holiday as an excuse to also explore a little bit of presidential history, there are hotels around that country that have their own storied connections to the individuals who have held the title of commander-in-chief.
Here’s a look at some of the properties around the country that have played host to past presidents.
The Blackstone, Chicago, Illinois
Nicknamed the “Hotel of Presidents,” The Blackstone has strong ties to our country’s leaders having hosted 12 U.S. presidents. Guests can still book the historic Suite of Presidents today where Harry Truman delighted staff with a private piano performance of the “Missouri Waltz.”
President Eisenhower watched his 1952 nomination for president on TV here and John F. Kennedy was enjoying Boston clam chowder at the hotel when he received word he had to return to the White House during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In 1920, The Blackstone became known for its “Smoked Filled Suite,” following the Republican party leaders’ secret – and smoked-filled – meeting to nominate Warren G. Harding as their candidate for president.
JW Marriott Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
The land of Lincoln is calling. A luxury escape fit for a president awaits guests at this landmark, luxury Chicago loop hotel. The historic JW Marriott Chicago has had a variety of presidents stay including Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. President hopefuls have also stayed at the hotel including Bob Dole, Mitt Romney, and Al Gore.
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Riverside, California
Built in 1876, the Spanish mission-style property has served as a portal to American history, having hosted several U.S. presidents including Roosevelt, Kennedy, Nixon, Taft, and Hoover, among others who have stopped by for a visit to the famed California hotel.
Richard and Patricia Nixon were married in the hotel and Ronald and Nancy Reagan honeymooned in the hotel’s Alhambra Suite, which has since been coined the Honeymoon Suite.
In anticipation of President Taft’s visit to the inn, the hotel created a large, custom-made chair to accommodate his portly shape, which is currently located in the lobby for guests to take a seat.
Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix, Arizona
Since opening in 1929, many presidents and dignitaries have come to vacation at this Arizona property located amid lush gardens and sun-kissed palm trees. Every president from Herbert Hoover through George W. Bush has been a guest.
Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton, Missouri
President Truman, before his presidency, ran a haberdashery on the current site of this hotel, which inspired the property to partner with artisan garment makers to sell hand-crafted goods in the lobby as a fun way to relive this history today.
The Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, Virginia
No less than 13 presidents have visited this opulent Virginia property which dates back to 1895. Harrison, McKinley, Wilson, Coolidge, Taft, both Roosevelts (Theodore and Franklin Delano), Truman, Reagan, both Bushes, Clinton and Obama, have all bunked at this property, which is viewed as one of Richmond’s grandest hotel and one of the finest in America.
Hotel del Coronado, San Diego, California
This legendary and historic property has a long association with our nation’s presidents, a long list have stayed here, some on multiple occasions.
The tradition began with Benjamin Harrison, who was the first sitting president to visit the property. William Taft spent the night here in 1915, and Franklin D. Roosevelt had a long history with Hotel del Coronado, telling a local paper he particularly loved the view of the ocean provided by the hotel.
Later, Lyndon Johnson attended a dinner at the luxury hotel and after that, subsequent presidential visitors included Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Vice presidents and a long list of celebrities have also stayed at the Hotel del Coronado.
